Watts swayed by Roos appointment

Jake Niall and Michael Gleeson

Out-of-contract Melbourne utility Jack Watts is expected to stick with the Demons in the wake of Paul Roos' appointment as senior coach.

It is understood that the 2008 No.1 pick, who has met Roos, has indicated he will remain at Melbourne rather than seek a trade to another club. A number of clubs had been eyeing off Watts, including Carlton, whose coach Mick Malthouse mentored Watts last year during his year off coaching.

Roos had been on record on his desire to retain Watts and free agent Colin Sylvia. Watts was waiting to see who would be the senior coach before making a decision on his future, though it has not been the only consideration.

The Melbourne cleanout has begun with five players delisted on Wednesday.

After a disastrous season in which coach Mark Neeld was sacked, the club has told James Sellar, Josh Tynan, Troy Davis, Tom Gillies and Tom Couch that they are no longer wanted.

They will join the retiring Aaron Davey, David Rodan and Joel Macdonald.

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Melbourne also did not renew the contracts of assistant coaches Brian Royal and Leigh Brown.

Roos told Fox Footy's On The Couch that the Demons were sounding out Hawthorn assistant Adam Simpson and West Coast's Scott Burns about becoming the coach-in-waiting under Roos.

North Melbourne assistant Brett Allison, meanwhile, has been signed by the Demons. Allison worked with Roos at the Swans in a development role with the reserve grade side.

Allison is a dual premiership player with the Kangaroos and has been in charge of the club's forward line since 2010.

North Melbourne's manager of football operations Jon Haines clearly had mixed feelings about Allison's departure.

''Brett has been outstanding in his role with us over the past four years and departs with the highest amount of respect and goodwill. He will be a great loss and we wish him all the best,'' he said.